Vikings' Jordan Addison waits for potential NFL suspension after drunken driving plea deal
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jordan Addison's off-the-field trouble, the Minnesota Vikings believe, is fully behind him.
There is one more pressing matter to resolve, leaving the team and the third-year wide receiver to wait on potential punishment from the NFL as training camp unfolds.
After Addison avoided a trial on a drunken driving case in California by pleading no contest to a lesser charge last week, the adjudication paved the way for the league to issue discipline. NFL policy on substances of abuse calls for a three-game suspension for a first offense of an alcohol-related violation of the law.
Though Addison resolved the citation from 2024 with a 'wet reckless' misdemeanor that comes with fewer penalties and does not count as a DUI conviction on his driving record, a no-contest plea bargain doesn't exclude players from league suspensions.
'Everything is out of my control right now, so whatever the league has got for me, I'll be prepared with whatever decision they make,' Addison said Wednesday, before the team's first full practice of training camp.
Addison had to pay a fine and complete two online courses, with the expectation his probation will be shortened from 12 to six months.
'Just to get it all behind me and just get on with the season,' he said, when asked why he opted for the plea bargain.
As for his takeaway from the legal process, which began before his rookie year with a citation in Minnesota for excessive speeding?
'Just be smart,' Addison said. 'Make smart decisions. That's pretty much all.'
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team has been in contact with the NFL about the case but had no indication about when to expect a decision.
'They're obviously going through their process, and we'll know as soon as they know,' Adofo-Mensah said. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general. You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth, players you're excited about taking the field and taking those opportunities, and this is no different.'
Those players include Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton and Rondale Moore. Nailor had a breakout season in 2024, with 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns after his first two years in the league were hampered by injuries. Felton was the team's third-round draft pick out of Maryland. Moore signed as a bargain free agent after missing last season with Atlanta with a torn ACL. He played his first three years in the league for Arizona.
Addison's skills likely won't be replaced by any of those role players, however, should he be absent for the beginning of the season. With 133 catches for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns in two years, the 2023 first-round draft pick has flourished on the field as the sidekick in a dangerous duo with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson, who invited Addison earlier in the offseason to work out with him.
'Just talking to him and letting him know that, 'Hey, you need to be more vocal,'' Jefferson said during spring practice. 'He has that motivation and he's a great player as well, so people are going to listen to him as he speaks. Just trying to get him out of that shyness phase, or just being closed off and to himself, but I think he is getting better with that.'
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
recommended
Item 1 of 3
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tennessee Titans waive/injured WR Treylon Burks
The Tennessee Titans made a roster move on Tuesday after practice, waiving the injured Treylon Burks. Burks fractured his clavicle in practice on Saturday and will miss the beginning of the season while he heals. He has yet to play a full NFL season, last season appearing in just five games for the Titans. The former first-round pick out of Arkansas played in 11 games during his rookie campaign, and simply matched that in his second season before landing on injured reserve in 2024. He has not lived up to the first-round-pick expectations that teams put on players, so it's not surprising that the Titans are choosing to move on. However, because he's injured, if a team claims him off of waivers, he will revert to injured reserve and be subject to an injury settlement, should the Titans go that route. Given his injury history and lack of on-field production, Burks is hardly a player that teams clamor for. However, he still has a ton of upside if he can stay healthy. It just didn't pan out for the Titans. This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans waive/injured WR Treylon Burks
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says Kenny Pickett still in QB race despite injury
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Stefanski still expects Kenny Pickett to be a candidate for the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback job despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Stefanski said before Monday's practice that the process of determining who starts the Sept. 7 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals isn't confined to the five weeks of training camp and the three preseason games. 'The evaluation on these guys is all encompassing. It goes back through the spring. It goes to what they've put on tape already as football players,' Stefanski said. "I know he wants to be out there, but he's still very much involved.' Stefanski did not give a timeline on when Pickett might return, but said he would be evaluated on Thursday, when practice isn't scheduled. The injury occurred on Saturday during a drill late in practice. The injury could not have come at a worse time for Pickett, who was getting more comfortable with the offense and had his best practice on Saturday. 'He did use his mobility a couple times there and is a fast player. He can really run. So, we'll make sure that he heals up nice and fast and then get him back out there. But I thought he had a good four days,' Stefanski said. Pickett — acquired in a trade from Philadelphia in March — and Joe Flacco received most of the snaps with the first team during the first four days of practice. Dillon Gabriel got some first-team reps while Shedeur Sanders just began getting some second-team work Friday and Saturday. Stefanski said Flacco will get the majority of the snaps that would have gone to Pickett. ___ AP NFL: The Associated Press
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers reportedly add $30M in guarantees to Baker Mayfield's contract, but extension still looms
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be pleased with the return on their investment in Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers and Mayfield have restructured his contract to guarantee $30 million that previously wasn't guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Mayfield, 30, is approaching the second year of a three-year, $100 million contract that runs through the 2026 season. He's scheduled to make $40 million in 2026, none of which was previously guaranteed. Per the report, the $30 million in additional guarantees are now part of that final year of his contract. Will Bucs extend Mayfield? The restructure does not extend Mayfield's contract. He's still slated to become a free agent following the 2026 season barring a contract extension. Per Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, an extension is the ultimate goal. 'I love Baker," Licht told The Athletic last week. "I love everything he's done for us. "The goal for us is for Baker to continue to be the player that he is, and at some point, we reach an extension when the time is right and he continues to be our quarterback for a long time. That's the goal.' Mayfield's career resurgence in Tampa A former No. 1 overall pick who failed to live up to his draft slot with the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield has revived his career since joining the Buccaneers in 2023. His improved play has translated into success for the Buccaneers. In two seasons in Tampa, Mayfield has completed 67.9% of his passes for 7.5 yards per attempt with season-long averages of 4,272 passing yards, 34.5 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He completed 71.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns in 2024, setting career highs in each category for the second time in his two seasons in Tampa. The performances have resulted in the first two Pro Bowl selections of Mayfield's career. Can Mayfield maintain success with Liam Coen gone? The Buccaneers have posted winning records (9-8, 10-7) and made the playoffs after each of Mayfield's season at quarterback, extending the team success from the Tom Brady era. Tampa Bay will be seeking its sixth straight playoff berth and fifth consecutive NFC South title in 2025. They'll do so without former offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who oversaw Mayfield's resurgence and left this offseason to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Mayfield can maintain his success with Coen gone, an extension could be in the works for next offseason, if not sooner.
